Front Row is a virtual international fashion event that began Aug. 20 and will run until Aug. 29. It aims to have the foremost designers from Singapore and other countries in Asia shine on one online platform. Women’s and men’s wear, swimwear, jewelry and accessories of a total of 21 brands are showcased.

Dubbed “Singapore’s Definitive Virtual Fashion Festival,” Front Row includes Malaysian, Australian, Thai and other designers. The Philippines will be spotlit Aug. 26.

Ariel Lozada conceptualized the Philippine presentation and chose the five designers to represent the country—Jojie Lloren, Paolo Raymundo, Bea Samson, Furne One and Ezra Santos.

Lozada didn’t want to have a runway presentation online because he said it would not do justice to the clothes. He decided to make a film.

“I said that even during the pandemic, hindi naman mamamatay ang fashion, especially couture,” he said. “It has stood the test of time. That’s why we still have Chanel, Balenciaga, and all the major brands. I thought, since the whole world is on a reset, why don’t we do a reintroduction of some Filipino designers by selling image perception?”

Lozada said he asked the five designers: “Next to your skin is something that is also a shelter, like a protective source. And next to your skin is clothing. Okay, what comes after? It can be your faith, it can be your race, or your origin, or whatever. You don’t have to answer it literally. Let that be your guide.”

Sustainability

Lloren said his Front Row collection represents some of his best works. It also promotes sustainability: He wants his collections to use resources that cannot be depleted or permanently damaged. The fabrics he used came from a community of weavers in Indang, Cavite.

Raymundo, once a young designer living in Manila, moved back to the United States in the early 2000s. He’s also into videography.

“Paradox Vested Relics is a sort of umbrella project I do with my sister Rina,” Raymundo said of their outfit that creates indie video art.

Samson’s Front Row collection features past work. “I was into digital prints,” she said. “I enjoyed taking pictures and transforming them into saturated prints for my clothes.”

“I’m showcasing clothes with Filipino back stories or inspiration,” she said. “They aren’t necessarily made of everything ethnic or native material, but they clearly express what I want to show the world as a Filipino designer.”

Furne One of Amato Couture in Dubai said that his collection is about “texturizing,” fabrication and embellishment. Done in one color (beige), it was inspired by trips to Portugal and Italy.

“Because we launched our pret-a-porter line a couple of years ago, we are trying to have a more active online presence,” One said.

Aside from the online show, the five designers will do a podcast by Boy Abunda.

To promote the Philippine presentation, Lozada collaborated with Paolo Abella and Jowee Alviar of Team Manila to create a modified Baybayin logo of the word

“Pilipinas.” —CONTRIBUTED

Front Row Philippines can be viewed Aug. 26, 8 p.m., at www.thefrontrow.style.